Weekly Takes - Monday, June 24 Edition

Weekly Takes - Monday, June 24 Edition

1. Blowing a 3-0 series lead and having to play in a winners-take-all game seven is bad enough for the Panthers.

It is even worse when you consider how quiet Connor McDavid was in game six.

With the chance to make hockey's ultimate history, give mc McDavid having the game of his life in Game Seven. The ultimate legacy game is in store for #97.

2. There is more than just losing the Cup Final at stake for the Panthers, too.

I cannot fathom how Paul Maurice and the core could return. How could they ever get back to this point, after coming as close as a team possibly can?

This is the most drama-filled game seven of our lifetimes. The Oilers looking to complete hockey history, the Panthers looking to avoid the biggest choke job in sports history, McDavid looking to cement himself on hockey's Mount Rushmore, and the Oilers looking to end Canada's Cup drought.

Giddy up.

3. Rob Blake's first mistake was overpaying for an overrated, careless Pierre-Luc Dubios, who has all the talent in the world to be a dominant two-way centre, but instead has been a disappointment everywhere he has gone.

But he did not make a second mistake in doubling down and hoping for a bounce-back year. He rid himself of hockey's ultimate cancer and is now going to be the Capitals' problem for years to come.

4. The Devils, after landing a true franchise goalie in Jakob Markstrom, have serious "from no playoffs one year to a deep playoff run the next year" vibe.

Franchise goalie, a high-end defensive core, and a franchise centre in Jack Hughes.

Sheldon Keefe landed in a great spot.

5. With Orlevis Martinez (written before his suspension), Addison Barger, and Spencer Horwritz rightfully called up for the likes of Cavan Biggio and Daniel Vogelbach, it is time for the biggest change of all to the Blue Jays' roster: DFA'ing George Springer.

There is no need for him to be on the big-league roster anymore. Certainly not in a starting role. The Jays were not able to have playoff success in his prime years, making what should have been one of the better contracts in franchise history one of the worst.

6. The NBA Final surely did not feel like an NBA Final (and there are things the NBA can do to change that, starting with putting the trophy back as the centre court logo), but the reality is, the Celtics dominance is the biggest reason why it lacked the feel this year.

Their greatness was never in doubt.

7. My thoughts on Canada's 2-0 loss to Argentina on Thursday...

• Canada will never be a top soccer country (obviously), but even before the game, looking at Canada's lineup, I failed to see how Canada was going to be run off the pitch. There is simply too much talent all over the pitch to allow it to happen. This is an emgering soccer country. A brand new world.

• Alphonso Davies was brilliant. He took a lot of flack after his poor performance against the Dutch, but this is his team for a reason. He is their best player by a mile.

• Jonathan Davis is eventually going to get hot for Canada. He is so close. He is going to make an impact before the tournament is over.